Wednesday, August 12, 2015

BEYOND THE CHEROKEE TRAIL by Lisa Carter

Linden Birchfield is organizing the 180th commemoration of the
Trail of Tears in the Cherokee community of Cartridge Cove. That's where she runs into Walker Crowe. Walker is an ex-army sniper whose ancestors
hid in the Snowbird Mountains to avoid deportation. Walker doesn't think any good will come out
this commemorative festival but will only dredge up the past. Even though they seem to be like oil and
water, they have an undeniable chemistry.
Walker is strong in his faith but not really looking for love, until
Linden. Linden's past has caused her to
lose faith and give up what her heart desires.
She and her Grandma find the diary of a woman who lived during that period
and Linden is captivated by her story.
As the festival draws closer so do Walker and Linden. Linden is finding solace in the Snowbird
Mountains but the quiet community is disrupted when they find some don't want
to festival to take place. Will Walker
and Linden discover who they are before it’s too late?

I loved this story. It's
really two stories in one.The author
alternates between the modern day story and the diary, which is the historical
account of the Trail of Tears.At first,
I wasn't sure if I would like that but I found myself fascinated by both
stories.I loved getting to know all the
characters in both stories but especially Sarah Jane (in the diary). Wow.I
was reminded throughout the story of the strength of the human spirit and the
faithfulness of God in the darkest of times.There was so much emotion, especially in the last half of the book that
I found myself grabbing for the tissues.Linden was a bit frustrating to me the way she kept wallowing in her
past but I know any one of us could probably be that way about something.I loved Walker Crowe. He was one of those
heroes that you just can't get enough of, you know, the swoon-worthy type!This is one of those stories that just keeps
you turning pages because you have to know what happens.The only thing that would have made this
story better for me was an epilogue.I
loved the ending but just wished it would have been carried out a little
further.The author's dedication lets
you know that though the story is fiction the historical events are not.That really elevated this book to another
level.You'll understand why it's called
The Trail of Tears.Beyond the Cherokee
Trail is a story that will stay with you long after you close the book.It's a keeper and one I would definitely
recommend.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Abingdon Press through
NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Some Favorite quotes:

She made a conscious effort to peel her eyes off Walker
Crowe.And Failed.Because despite the red flannel shirt and
cell phone affixed to the pocket of his blue jeans - all of which he filled out
so well - there was something wild and untamed about him.Exciting and scary, all at the same instant.

"You are all he talked about when he picked me up for our
rotation at the dinner - and believe me when I tell you Walker uses words like
he has to pay for each one."

"...I discovered my faith had been misplaced.""What do you mean?""My faith in these mountains.In myself.In everything that had no power in and of itself to cleanse and
heal."

I'm a mom to three grown boys, a daughter-in-love and wife of 30 years to a great guy. I love coffee and reading and reviewing books. I am what you might call a "bookaholic". (Even more than that...a Kindleholic!) I also love to shop the thrift stores for interesting treasures! I appreciate the authors I know and love but I also like finding new authors and making new author friends.

Please feel free to contact me if you have a question, a comment or are interested in having me review a book for you. (I review Inspirational/Christian Fiction).

love2stitch @ hotmail . comorlove2readnovels @ yahoo . com

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I do not get paid or receive any monetary compensation for any posts or reviews on this blog. The books I review are either given to me by the publisher, the author, purchased by me, won in contests, borrowed from a friend or the library. The opinions expressed are solely my own.